HC Deb 06 August 1940 vol 364 cc17-8
32 and 33. Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what amounts have been paid to officers or organisers of Entertainments National Service Association and their names and positions; or what arrangements for payment have been made, respectively, since its establishment in the present war to the most recent convenient date, from moneys received by that association in charges made for admission;

(2) the amount received to date from admission charges by the Entertainments National Service Association and the amounts paid to artistes therefrom since its establishment during the present war and the amounts paid in administrative fees during that time?

Mr. Eden

No payments are made to members of the Entertainments National Service Association as such. The entertainments given to the troops are organised by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, and the organising staff is provided by them. The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes is registered under the Companies Acts as a company, trading not for profit, and in common with similar bodies is not called upon to furnish details of salaries paid. The sum received from admission charges to the end of July is about £78,000, and payments made to artistes during the same period amount to about £150,000. The receipts were taken and the payments were made by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

Mr. Lyons

What positions are occupied by Sir Seymour Hicks and Mr. Basil Dean, what amount of salary is paid to them, and from what source does the money come?

Mr. Eden

I could not answer all that without notice, but I can say that none of the artistes, however widely known or talented, who have been serving in this way has received more than fro a week.

Mr. Lyons

Do I understand that no official has received more than that salary?

Mr. Eden

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend would not mind putting that question down.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is not Sir Seymour Hicks worth far more than £10 a week, and has he not given his services right and left?

41. Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to ensure the co-ordination of all welfare activities on behalf of the troops under one head, he will direct that the activities of the Entertainments National Service Association are placed under the control of the Director-General of Welfare?

Mr. Eden

Discussions are proceeding on this subject.